Transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 alter vascular endothelial growth factor receptor expression through a novel recognition sequence

Kinase domain receptor (KDR) is a high affinity, endothelial cell- specific, autophosphorylating tyrosine kinase receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor. This transcriptionally regulated receptor is a critical mediator of endothelial cell (EC) growth and vascular development. In this study, we identify a DNA element modulating KDR promoter activity and evaluate the nuclear binding proteins accounting for a portion of the cell- type specificity of the region. KDR promoter luciferase activity was retained within -85/+296 and was 10-30-fold higher in EC than non-EC. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated specific nuclear protein binding to -85/- 64, and single point mutations suggested important binding nucleotides between -79/-68 with five critical bases between -74/-70 (5'-CTCCT-3'). DNA- protein complexes were displaced by Sp1 consensus sequence oligodeoxynucleotides and supershifted by Sp1- and Sp3-specific antibodies. Sp1 and Sp3 protein in EC nuclear extracts bound the -79/-68 region even when all surrounding classic Sp1 recognition sites were removed. Sp1 protein in nuclear extracts was 4-24-fold higher in EC than non-EC, whereas Sp3 was 3- 7-fold higher. Sp1/Sp3 ratios in EC were 2-10-fold higher. Overexpression of Sp1 protein increased KDR promoter activity 3-fold in both EC and non-EC, whereas simultaneous co-expression of Sp3 attenuated this response. An Sp1 consensus sequence cis element 'decoy' reduced EC KDR promoter activity and mRNA expression by 85 and 69%, respectively. An antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide to Sp1 inhibited Sp1 and KDR protein expression by 66 and 68%, respectively, without changing Sp3 protein expression. These data illustrate that Sp1 and Sp3 modulate KDR promoter activity through a novel recognition binding sequence. However, since Sp1-mediated promoter activation is attenuated by Sp3, endothelial selective KDR promoter activity may be partially regulated by variations in the Sp1/Sp3 ratio.